Earthly Treasures: Diamonds

Diamonds are the hardest known compound, originating from the Greek word 'adamas' meaning unbreakable. They form deep within the Earth's mantle under high temperature and pressure over billions of years. Volcanic eruptions bring them to the surface, where they cool in igneous rocks called kimberlites. Diamonds have a unique lattice structure, making them rigid and lustrous. Their color can be affected by impurities like nitrogen and boron. Diamonds are cut into various shapes and their quality is assessed by the four Cs: carat, cut, color, and clarity. While prized as gemstones, 80% of diamonds are used industrially due to their durability and thermal conductivity.

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